Sharon McMahon

Fun People I Follow

I have been waiting until a particular time to share this one and that time has now arrived. I have mentioned her a few times and promised (threatened?) to tell you more. I came across her work soon after making a wish to learn new things and be exposed to new ideas and information that wasn’t available to me in my current circles. I can’t remember the reel that someone else I follow shared of her or who that person even was. They have never shared her since. Sharon McMahon is America’s government teacher. She has an Instagram account where she shares the happenings of the news and government in a way that is accessible and easy to understand. She is focused on facts and is independent from any political party. I adore her. She has a supernatural level of patience and compassion and she persists with her very important work despite literal death threats from the peoples of Instagram. It’s ridiculous that someone would be threatened and their families and children threatened because they oppose banning books. But here we are in this world we live in. However, that’s the important thing about Sharon’s work - what she teaches is that we ALL have the ability to make a difference and all we need to do is the next right thing, with whatever we resources we have and exactly where we are. We don’t need to be rich or well networked. She wrote a book called The Small and Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement. It’s an amazing book and I cried the whole time I read it.

The reason I have waited so long to share her information is because I wanted to do it when she opened her book club to the public. For $18 a month, she offers a book club where we read 2 books a quarter and have a zoom call with the authors to discuss the book. These calls are so amazing!! She will take questions from people before and assemble a list to ask the author. This month we will be chatting with John Green and Antonia Hylton. In addition to those calls, there are several zoom chats within the book club members where you can join and talk with Sharon about the book. You don’t have get on camera or speak, but you are welcome to if that’s your jam. And, wait there’s more! There are several workshops where we learn cool things. This summer there will be guest teachers, but usually Sharon teaches them herself. The history of public libraries, the post office and even a workshops about the scandals of the White House (look up Warren Harding’s love letters - you won’t be disappointed) have been past topics. This book club is a bucket load of fun and there is a private Instagram account for each season of the book club where there are private Instagram lives during which Sharon answers questions and chit chats with people. She is funny and so sweet. It’s a great place to be, in this book club. Also, if you love dogs, there is plenty of dog content in the book club account. Sharon has 3 rescue dogs.

This week the sign up for the book club is open to current members only, but it will open up next week for everyone else. There are limited spots available because nearly all of the current members stay in the group. I just renewed for a full year. Because she is a teacher, she manages each book club season as a quarter - so the book club is only opened to new membership 4 times a year.

I don’t have any affiliate link. I am just a member of the club and I would love for you to join. If you are on Instagram you can find her under @SharonSaysSo and if you don’t do social media, you can find her website here.

She also writes a Substack article almost everyday called The Preamble. There are free and paid versions of the newsletter. I have a paid subscription to that as well. She does deep dives on legislation and history on her substack. Oh, and the Deep Dives on Instagram! Every Sunday she will post a series of slides in her stories where she shares information and research about a little known American or time in history. She has been working through some Civil Rights leaders and important people. And, you can only see this information on Instagram. Her work is interesting enough that I would keep an account just to follow her and nothing else - if you are not a social media person.

I could share more and more about her and her work, but by this point, if you are still with me, you are either interested or don’t care. And, that’s fine. She will start sharing more information about the book club on her public accounts next week. (She is also kind of on Facebook).

If you have questions about it, I am happy to answer. You can reply to the email you received or send me a message below.